Congress core group discusses Telangana

New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Senior Congress leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party chief Sonia Gandhi, Saturday discussed the demands for separate statehood to Telangana in view of the approaching deadline, set by the central government, for a decision on the issue.

Informed sources said the issue was discussed at the Congress core committee meeting. They said the party may not take an immediate decision on the issue.

Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is in charge of party affairs in the state, had indicated earlier this week that a decision on Telangana could be delayed.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had said December 28 that the central government would take decision on the demand for carving Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh within a month.

Since Shinde’s announcement, Congress leadership has held talks with its leaders in Andhra Pradesh to arrive at a decision. However, its leaders are divided on regional lines.

Sources said Shinde could speak on the issue before his Dhaka visit Jan 28.

IANS 2013-01-26 22:56:03